Camera having radio-frequency identification transponder

ABSTRACT

A camera has a body, an image capture assembly mounted in the body, and at least one radio-frequency identification transponder mounted within the body, said transponder is unshielded by the body. The transponder can be an inlay transponder.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Reference is made to commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patentapplications Ser. No. 09/372,287, entitled: FILM UNIT HAVINGRADIO-FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION TRANSPONDER, filed Aug. 11, 1999, in thenames of Joseph A. Manico and Robert W. Spurr; Ser. No. 09/371,813,entitled: A MULTISTAGE SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM, filedAug. 11, 1999, in the names of Christopher Wheeler and Robert W. Spurr;Ser. No. 09/133,114, entitled: A PRINTER WITH MEDIA SUPPLY SPOOL ADAPTEDTO SENSE TYPE OF MEDIA, AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING SAME, filed Aug. 12,1998, in the names of Robert W. Spurr, Kurt M. Sanger, Babak Tehranchi,and Timothy J. Tredwell; Ser. No. 09/133,122, entitled: A PRINTER MEDIASUPPLY SPOOL ADAPTED TO ALLOW THE PRINTER TO SENSE TYPE OF MEDIA, ANDMETHOD OF ASSEMBLING SAME, filed Aug. 12, 1998 in the names of Robert W.Spurr, Kurt M. Sanger, Babak Tehranchi, and Timothy J. Tredwell; Ser.No. 09/218,595, entitled: A PRINTER WITH DONOR AND RECEIVER MEDIA SUPPLYTRAYS EACH ADPATED TO ALLOW A PRINTER TO SENSE TYPE OF MEDIA THEREIN,AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING THE PRINTER AND TRAYS, filed Dec. 22, 1998 inthe names of Robert W. Spurr, Kurt M. Sanger, Babak Tehranchi, andTimothy J. Tredwell; Ser. No. 09/292,859, entitled: A PHOTOPROCESSINGAPPARATUS FOR SENSING TYPE OF PHOTOPROCESSING CONSUMABLE AND METHOD OFASSEMBLING THE APPARATUS, filed Apr. 16, 1999 in the names of Robert W.Spurr, Timothy J. Tredwell, L. Dann, and Arthur A. Whitfield; Ser. No.09/334,021, entitled: AN IMAGING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF FORMING AN IMAGECONSISTENT WITH TYPE OF IMAGING CONSUMABLE LOADED THEREIN AND METHOD OFASSEMBLING THE APPARATUS, filed Jun. 16, 1999 in the name of Robert W.Spurr; each of which are assigned to the assignee of this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to photography and cameras and more particularlyrelates to cameras having radio-frequency identification transponders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For many years, encodements have been provided on film units and camerasfor identification purposes and to convey information about the filmunit or camera. The term “encodement” is used herein very broadly tocover a feature of physical media used to communicate one or more bitsof information to a machine. “Encodement” is inclusive of alphanumerictext and other indicia. For example, Type 135 (35 mm) film cassetteshave a “DX” code on the outside surface of the film canister formed byelectrically conductive and non-conductive patches. This film also hasoptical bar codes, in the form of latent images along longitudinalmargins of the filmstrip. Advanced Photo System™ film cassettes havemagnetic encodements on the film and can have optical encodementsidentifying print formats. A wide variety of other encodements have beenproposed.

A shortcoming is that many of these encodements are permanent oncewritten. For example, electrically conductive patches and latent imagesdo not erase. Other encodements, such as magnetic can be rewritteneasily, but reading and writing of the media requires close access tothe media. Because of this, such encodements require close access forwriting and reading. For example, magnetic encodements require a closelyplaced magnetic head. Latent images must be photoprocessed. Visiblecodes must be positioned to be readable and are not easily rewritten, atleast for purposes of machine-reading. U.S. Pat. No. 4,806,958 to DavidMomot and Ensley E. Townsend, discloses a microfilm cassette that has anoptical sender and receiver for communicating with similarly configuredequipment. The cassette includes a circuit that writes and readsinformation to electronic memory. The cassette must be registered in asuitable device for reading and writing.

Radio-frequency identification transponders are widely available in avariety of forms. These devices include a non-volatile memory, such asan EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory)semiconductor component integrally contained in the transponder. Storedin the non-volatile memory are encoded data. Inlay transponders areidentification transponders that have a substantially flat shape. Theantenna for an inlay transponder is in the form of a conductive tracedeposited on a non-conductive support. The antenna has the shape of aflat coil or the like. Leads for the antenna are also deposited, withnon-conductive layers interposed as necessary. Memory and any controlfunctions are provided by a chip mounted on the support and operativelyconnected through the leads to the antenna. Inlay transponders have beenused as layers of identification tags and labels to provide encodementsthat are accessible at a distance.

It would thus be desirable to provide an improved camera having aradio-frequency identification transponder that can be accessed forwriting and reading at a distance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is defined by the claims. The invention, in its broaderaspects, provides a camera has a body, an image capture assembly mountedin the body, and at least one radio-frequency identification transpondermounted within the body, said transponder is unshielded by the body. Thetransponder can be an inlay transponder.

It is an advantageous effect of the invention that an improved camera isprovided that has a radio-frequency identification transponder that canbe accessed for writing and reading at a distance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention andthe manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the inventionitself will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is semi-diagrammatical perspective view of an embodiment of thecamera. The positions of a film cassette and inlay transponder areindicated by dashed lines.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatical view illustrating use of the transponder inthe camera of FIG. 1 in an embodiment of the imaging system.

FIG. 3 is a semi-diagrammatical perspective view of the inlaytransponder of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a semi-diagrammatical cross-sectional view of anotherembodiment of the camera. Some of the alternative locations for an inlaytransponder are indicated by dashed lines.

FIG. 5 is a semi-diagrammatical perspective view of the camera of FIG. 1modified by the addition of packaging.

FIG. 6 is a semi-diagrammatical perspective view of still anotherembodiment of the camera including the inlay transponder of FIG. 3 and afirst embodiment of a film unit having an included inlay transponder.

FIG. 7 is a semi-diagrammatical perspective view of yet anotherembodiment of the camera including the inlay transponder of FIG. 3 and asecond embodiment of a film unit having an included inlay transponder.

FIG. 8 is a semi-diagrammatical perspective view of the film unit ofFIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a semi-diagrammatical perspective view of the film unit ofFIG. 7, but following photofinishing including development of thefilmstrip. The developed filmstrip is illustrated partially extended toshow the visible captured images.

FIG. 10 is a semi-diagrammatical perspective view of the film unit ofFIG. 9 modified by the addition of packaging.

FIG. 11 is a partially cut-away, semi-diagrammatical perspective view ofa third embodiment of the film unit. The location of the upper spoolflange is indicated by a dashed line.

FIG. 12 is a partially cut-away, semi-diagrammatical perspective view ofa fourth embodiment of the film unit. The locations of the upper spoolflange and inlay transponder are indicated by dashed lines.

FIG. 13 is a semi-diagrammatical perspective view of a fifth embodimentof the film unit.

FIG. 14 is a semi-diagrammatical perspective view of a sixth embodimentof the film unit. The locations of the upper spool flange and inlaytransponder are indicated by dashed lines.

FIG. 15 is a semi-diagrammatical perspective view of a seventhembodiment of the film unit.

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatical view illustrating use of the transponder inthe film unit of FIG. 9 in an embodiment of the imaging system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-4, a camera 10 has a body 12 having animage capture assembly 14 disposed in a casing 16. During use, a filmunit or image capture unit 18 is disposed in the body 12 in operativerelation to the image capture assembly 14. For convenience, the camera10 is generally discussed herein in terms of a film unit 18 includingphotographic film, but it will be understood that the term “imagecapture unit 18 or film unit 18” is broadly defined and is inclusive ofa camera 10 having a film unit 18 that stores information in digitalform using electronic, or magnetic, or optical memory or the like.

The body 12 also holds a radio-frequency identification transponder 20.The term “radio-frequency identification transponder” is used herein torefer to any of a class of compact radio receiver-transmitters which arepowered by an ambient radio-frequency field (indicated by line pattern22 in FIG. 2). The transponder 20 is accessed by modulating the field 22with an appropriate communication signal. The transponder 20 reacts(indicated by arrow 24 in FIG. 2), responsive to the communicationsignal. The reaction can be a responsive signal or a change in thetransponder or both. The content of the communication signal and theresponse of the transponder 20 are limited by the memory and controlfunctions provided by the transponder and by the access time andbandwidth available for communication. Within those limits, thetransponder can be read and written in a manner similar to other digitalmemory devices used to store and retrieve digital information. Forexample, multiple separately-accessible memory units can be provided.Access can be unlimited or can be limited by use of one or more accesscodes for the transponder as a whole, or different codes for each unit.Read and write functions can be provided together or access can bedifferentiated in some manner. For convenience, the transponder isgenerally described herein as reacting to a communication signal bytransmitting an encodement, earlier programmed in the transponder. Itwill be understood that such descriptions are not limiting of thepossible scope of responses by the transponder. The encodement orencodements in the transponder are limited by practical considerationsrelating to constraints on the memory in the transponder, availablebandwidth and access time. Within these constraints the encodement canvary. For example, the encodement can be uncompressed or compressed dataor a pointer to remote data or some combination. Similarly, it will beunderstood that the communication signal may similarly vary in scope andcontent.

The communication signal 22 is generated and the encodement is detectedby a communication unit or transceiver 26. Suitable communication units26 are well known to those of skill in the art. The communication unit26 can be provided as part of a kiosk or other fixed structure or can bea handheld device. The communication unit 26 is generally describedherein as being provided as separate item external to and discrete fromthe camera body 12. Referring to FIG. 6, a communication unit 26 can,however, be provided within a single body that also holds thetransponder. The components can be configured as necessary to place thecommunication unit in operative relation with the transponder. Forexample, a camera body 12 can be enlarged as necessary to accommodate acommunication unit 26 and a transponder can be positioned within thebody 12 in operative relation to the communication unit 26. A notableadvantage of an internal communication unit 26 is that the transpondercan be accessed during use to record information related to individualcaptured images.

The communication unit 26 can access the transponder 20 without directphysical contact or very close proximity to the transponder. Thetransponder 20 can thus be located in an area of the camera body 12 thatprecludes direct contact or close positioning. For cameras 10 havingphotographic film, this allows the transponder 20 to be positionedwithin a light-tight film enclosure 19 that holds the film. In thiscase, the transponder can still be accessed, even though the transponderis isolated from light-exposure along with the film. The transponder 20is retained in the camera 10 during use and does not degrade the usageof the image capture assembly 14.

Referring to FIG. 2, in an imaging system 29, the transponder 20 in thecamera 10 transmits an encodement signal 24 of camera relatedinformation responsive to a radio-frequency communication signal 22 fromthe communication unit 26. Image information captured by the imagecapture assembly 14 is sent by suitable transfer equipment to an imagingdevice 31. (In FIG. 2, the image information is indicated by a smallimage of a film unit having the reference number 33 and the transferequipment is indicated by an arrow 35.) The encodement or ancillaryinformation derived from the encodement (indicated by arrow 37) is senton a communication path 39 by the communication unit 26, responsive tothe encodement signal 24, to the imaging device 31. The imaging device31 then provides an output (not shown) responsive to the imageinformation and the ancillary information.

The term “imaging device” is used very broadly here to refer to any unitor units or system of equipment that process, modify, store, print, ordisplay images and are capable of varying output on the basis ofancillary information received. “Imaging device” is inclusive of digitaland conventional photofinishing equipment in all forms and includesdeveloping equipment, scanners, viewers, and printers.

The transfer equipment varies with the imaging device. For example, ifthe imaging device produces printed images from latent images capturedon film, then the transfer equipment can be related to physicaltransport of the film having the latent images. On the other hand, ifthe imaging device produces digitally stored images from digital datarecorded in a digital film unit, then the transfer equipment can bedirected to the transport of signals bearing digital image information.This can be varied in a wide variety of ways. For example, digitialimages can be transferred by shipping physical storage media.Photographic or other physical images can be digitized and transferredby use of electronics or other signal transmission equipment.Combinations of equipment can be used and the captured images can bechanged in form, modified, edited, combined, or otherwise manipulated inany combination.

The ancillary information can also vary widely. For example, theancillary information can be set-up parameters for a photofinishingdevice, a product selection or selection of product features, amodification of captured images in some manner, information forinclusion in or with a photofinishing product, or a request for ormodification of optional services. Within memory limits, the ancillaryinformation can be the same encodement provided by the transponder.Limitations on memory in the transponder can alternatively becircumvented by use of small encodements that point to larger,separately stored units of information in local or remotely accessedlook-up tables or databases or the like. For example, an encodementcould include or point to a URL (universal resource locator) to provideaccess to an Internet site.

Describing now a specific example, a transponder 20 can be written withan encodement containing or pointing to a remote memory unit containingowner information and photofinishing preferences. Images are thencaptured in the form of latent images on film within the camera. Thecamera and film are then brought to an communication unit 26, that ispart of is part of a kiosk or other film input station at which the filmis submitted for processing. The transponder 20 is accessed by thecommunication unit, which then sends the respective ancillaryinformation to an image device in the form of a photofinishing unit. Thekiosk or other device can transmit the encodement digitally or by othermeans and modify photofinishing activities responsive to theinformation. The images are processed in accordance with the preferencesand delivered in accordance with the owner information.

Further details of the imaging system are disclosed in U.S. PatentApplication Serial No. 09/371,813, entitled: A MULTISTAGE SYSTEM FORPROCESSING PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM, filed Aug. 11, 1999, and filed in thenames of Christopher Wheeler and Robert W. Spurr which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

It is highly preferred that the transponder 20 is a unitary structurethat includes any and all necessary antenna or antennas. The transponder20 can have any configuration, within the spatial constraints imposed bythe camera 10. It is preferred, however, that the transponder 20 is aninlay transponder 20 a. The term “inlay transponder 20 a” is used hereinto refer to a radio-frequency identification transponder that has aflexible support sheet 28 bearing a planar antenna 30 and integratedcircuit chip 32. Connectors 34 join the circuit chip 32 and antenna 30and one or more insulation layers or coverings (not separatelyillustrated) are provided as necessary. The thickness of an inlaytransponder 20 a is less than 20 times the smallest dimension of thecircuit chip 32 and is, preferably, less than 10 times the smallestdimension of the circuit chip 32 and less than the largest dimension ofthe circuit chip 32, and more preferably is less than 3 times thesmallest dimension of the circuit chip 32. The inlay transponder 20 acan be bent, in one or more directions, within limits imposed by theadherence of the circuit chip 32, connectors, and antenna 30 to thesupport sheet 28.

In a currently preferred embodiment, the support sheet 28 iselectrically insulating plastic and the antenna 30 is a layer ofconductive material deposited on the support sheet 28. Inlaytransponders 20 a of this type are marketed by Texas InstrumentsIncorporated, of Dallas, Tex., as Tag-it™ Inlays. In a specific exampleof such an inlay transponder 20 a, the antenna 30 has, in its largerdimensions, has roughly the form of a rectangular helix 45 mm by 45 mm.The helix has 10 turns and a transverse dimension from inner turn toouter turn of about 11 mm. Connectors 34 and necessary insulation arealso provided as deposited layers. The circuit chip 32 is small, havinglarger dimensions of roughly 1 mm by 1 mm, and is bonded to the supportsheet 28 in operative contact with the connectors 34. The inlaytransponder 20 a can be bent about a radius of 15 or 30 mm dependingupon the orientation of the circuit chip 32 on the outside or inside ofthe curve, respectively.

The image capture assembly 14 includes conventional camera components,such as a taking lens unit 36 having one or more lens elements 38, ashutter unit 40, and a film transport (indicated in FIG. 4 by arectangle 42). The image capture assembly 14 can also include a flashassembly 44 including a lamp unit 46 and a circuit board 48 electricallyconnected to a flash tube (not shown) within the lamp unit 46. The imagecapture assembly 14 has control features 50, such as a shutter release,flash charging button, counter, and viewfinder, positioned at thesurface of the casing 16 for access by the user during picture taking.The image capture assembly 14 can also include one or more otherconventional camera components (symbolized by box 52 in FIG. 4), such asa timer, a control display, a date-back, and the like.

The casing 16 includes the structural elements of the camera 10. Thevarious parts of the image capture assembly 14 are disposed within thecasing 16 and can be firmly mounted to one or more members of the casing16 or can be trapped in place by casing members. In the cameras 10 shownin the figures, the casing 16 has front and rear covers 54,56 and aframe 58 enclosed within the cover members 54,56. The frame 58 has firstand second film chambers 60,62, an exposure chamber 64 between the filmchambers 60,62, and a baffle 66 directing light from the taking lensunit 36 to the exposure chamber 64.

The cameras 10 illustrated are one-time use cameras. In these cameras, afilmstrip 68 is prewound out of a holder 70 of the film unit 18 duringmanufacture to form a film roll 72. During use, the filmstrip 68 ismoved by the film transport 52 on a frame-by-frame basis through theexposure chamber 64, for picture taking, and back into the holder 70.Features of the film unit 18 and film related mechanisms are notcritical. For example, the film unit 18 can have a one chambered holderor patrone 70, as in Type 135 (35 mm) and Advanced Photo System filmunits. The film unit 18 can have a two chambered holder 70, as in Type110 film units. The film unit 18 can have a holder 70 that is only aspool, as in Type 120 film units. The film unit 18 can be prewound inthe camera 10 or can require rewinding. The filmstrip 68 can be movedfrom one spool to another during use or from a film roll to a spool orfrom film roll to film roll without any spools. The holder 70 caninclude a canister and internal spool, as in the figures, or the holdercan be a canister lacking a spool.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 5, the camera 10 can have packaging73 surrounding the body 12, in the manner that packaging is commonlyprovided for products prior to sale to a final user. The packaging 73 isremovable and is removed to use the camera 10. With a one-time usecamera 10, the packaging 73 is waterproof to protect the filmstrip inthe camera 10 from humidity. The manner of packaging can vary widely.FIG. 5 illustrates packaging 73 in the form of a waterproof plastic orfoil laminate inner bag 73 a in combination with an outer non-waterproofhanger-box 73 b. The packaging 73 can include a supernumerarytransponder 74 as a security device or for inventory control or thelike. The supernumerary transponder 74 is independent of the transponder20 in the camera body 12, and is part of the packaging 73 rather thanthe camera body 12.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 3-5, the transponder 20 can bejoined to the body 12 of the camera 10. To protect against loss ofinformation, it is highly preferred that the transponder 20 isinseparable from the body 12 without disassembly of the camera 10 ordamage to the camera 10. The transponder 20 can be mounted to the casing16 or the image capture assembly 14 and can be external or internal tothe body 12. Attachment of the transponder 20 to the body 12 can beprovided by fasteners, but adherence using a layer of adhesive orsolvent welding or the like is generally preferred. The transponder 20is positioned such it is unshielded by the body 12. In other words, thebody 12 does not block transmission of appropriate radio frequencysignals to and from the transponder 20. It is preferred that thetransponder 20 be unshielded in all directions, however, shielding canlimit signal transmission in one or more directions, if desired. In viewof this matter of shielding, it is preferred that the casing 16 be madeof plastic or other radio-frequency signal transmissive material.

The transponder 20 can be positioned in a variety of locations in thebody 12. This is particularly the case when the transponder 20 is aninlay transponder, since the inlay transponder is thin and can be bent.Some alternative locations for an inlay transponder 20 a are illustratedin dashed lines and reference designations beginning with “76”, in FIG.4. The inlay transponder 20 a can be mounted at 76 a (on the outsidesurface of the front cover 54), at 76 b (on the outside surface of therear cover 56), at 76 c (on the inside surface of the front cover 54),or at 76 d (on the outside surfaces of front and rear covers 54,56overlapping the joint between the two covers 54,56). The inlaytransponder 20 a can be mounted at 76 e (in a recess in the inside ofthe rear cover 56 or a similar recess in another part). The inlaytransponder 20 a can be mounted at 76 f (attached to an adhered label78). To protect against damage or inappropriate removal, the inlaytransponder 20 a is preferably mounted internally within the body 12 ofthe camera 10. The inlay transponder 20 a, as noted above, can bemounted on an inside surface of a cover. The inlay transponder 20 a canalso be attached to the frame 58. FIG. 4 illustrates examples oflocations on the frame 58, including 76 g (the outer surface of a filmchamber 60,62), 76 h (the inner surface of a film chamber 60,62), 76 i(an inner surface of the baffle 66), and 76 j (an outer surface of thebaffle 66). As is apparent from FIG. 4, the inlay transponder 20 a canbe mounted to a flat surface or a curved surface and can bridgedifferent parts of the camera 10. The inlay transponder 20 a can beattached to one or more components of the image capture assembly 14.FIG. 4 illustrates a location, 76 k, for attachment of an inlaytransponder 20 a to the circuit board 48 of the flash assembly 44. Theinlay transponder 20 a can be partially attached to a component or part,and partially free; or can be completely unattached, and simply trappedwithin the camera body 12 as shown at 76 m and 76 n, respectively.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 6-7, the camera 10 can have atransponder 20 held by the film unit 18 in the camera body 12. Thetransponder 20 in the film unit 18 is unshielded by both the film unit18 and the body 12. An embodiment of the system 29, shown in FIG. 16, iscomparable to the system 29 previously described, except that the camera10 is replaced by the film unit 18. The film unit 18 can also bereturned to the user following processing, for example, by return of thedeveloped filmstrip 68 a within the film canister 86, as with AdvancedPhoto System film. In that case, the transponder can be retained toallow use of the transponder by the user and and/or in subsequentphotofinishing. With the camera or the film unit, multiple transponderscan also be used as necessitated by multiple photofinishing products andinformation can be transferred from one transponder to another asneeded. As is the case with the camera 10 of FIG. 2, the film unit 18can be varied in accordance with the disclosure herein, as desired.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 7, the camera 10 can also have afirst transponder 20′ held by the film unit 18 and a second transponder20″ held by the body 12 independent of the film unit 18. This approachhas the advantage that encodements related to captured image, such asimage format can more easily be retained with the images and encodementsrelated to the camera body 12, such as the number of times a one-timeuse camera 10 has been recycled, can be retained with the recycled partof the camera body 12. The two transponders 20′,20″ can be used to storethe same encodements or different encodements. The two transponders 20can be commonly accessible on the same radio frequencies, but arepreferably independently accessible. The camera 10 can also have aplurality of transponders 20 (not illustrated) separate from the filmunit 18, but, for current embodiments, this is superfluous and notpreferred.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 6-15, it is currently preferred thata transponder 20 held by a film unit 18 is an inlay transponder, sincean inlay transponder is readily compatible with spatial constraints of afilm unit 18. An inlay transponder 20 a can be mounted to the film or toa holder 70 of the film unit 18. The transponder 20 can be adhered orotherwise attached or disposed in the film unit 18 in the same manner aspreviously described for the camera body 12. The film unit 18 isillustrated as a patrone in which the holder 70 is a canister includingan internal spool and the filmstrip is attached to and wound around thespool, but the film unit 18 is not limited to any particularconfiguration. For example, the film unit 18 can have a single filmchamber, as in a Type 135 (35 mm) or Advanced Photo System™ cassette, orthe film unit 18 can have two film chambers, as in a Type 110 cassette,or the film unit 18 can have film wound on a bare spool, as in Type 120and Type 220 films, or the film unit 18 can be an unspooled length offilmstrip.

The holder 70 can shield the transponder 20 from radio-frequencycommunication by the communication unit 26, except in one or a limitednumber of directions or except in some conditions such as opening of anaccess door or outward extension of the transponder 20. It is preferred,however, that the transponder 20 be continuously accessible and beaccessible in any direction.

The transponder 20 can be mounted to the outer, light-blocking surface80 of a film unit 18, such as the exterior of a light-tight holder 70,or can be mounted interior to that surface 80 within a film area 81protected from incidental light exposure. In the latter case, thetransponder is isolated from light-exposure in the same manner as thefilm. In either case, the transponder 20 can be accessed without directcontact or close positioning of the communication unit 26. Thetransponder 20 can thus be accessed even when direct contact or closeaccess to the film unit would be unsuitable, such as during use, whenfilm is unwound from a light-tight holder 70 within a camera.

If mounted to the film, it is preferred that the inlay transponder 20 ais mounted to a filmstrip end (leader or trailer) 82. The inlaytransponder 20 a can be cut from the filmstrip and handled separatelyduring film finishing or can be subject to the same photofinishingprocesses as the remainder of the filmstrip. In the latter case, thefilmstrip must have materials and a configuration that precludesunacceptable contamination of photofinishing solutions.

The transponder 20 can also be mounted to the holder 70 on an exterioror interior surface. FIG. 9 illustrates an inlay transponder 20 a joinedto the exterior surface of a sidewall 84 of a canister 86. FIGS. 11 and12 illustrate inlay transponders 20 a joined to outer and innersurfaces, respectively, of the core 88 of a spool 90. FIG. 15illustrates a transponder 20 joined to the exterior surface of anendwall 92 of a canister 86.

A transponder 20 mounted to the film or holder 70 can be permanentlyaffixed by adhesive or the like, or removable. The desirability ofpermanent or removable mounting depends upon the location of thetransponder 20 and the photofinishing procedures to be used. A removabletransponder 20 has the advantage that it can be transferred duringphotofinishing from a discarded item, such as the canister of a Type 135film unit, to a photofinishing product, such as an index print. Apermanently mounted transponder 20 is free from a risk of accidentalremovable, but requires retention of a supporting structure, such as anoriginal filmstrip or canister.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 10, the film unit 18 can havepackaging 73 enwrapping the film and holder 70, if any; in the mannerthat packaging is commonly provided for products prior to sale to afinal user. The packaging 73 is removable and is removed for use. Toprotect film, the packaging 73 is preferably waterproof to protectagainst humidity. The manner of packaging can vary widely. FIG. 10illustrates packaging 73 in the form of a waterproof inner container 73a in combination with an outer non-waterproof hanger-box 73 b. Thepackaging 73 can include a supernumerary transponder 74 as a securitydevice or for inventory control or the like. The supernumerarytransponder 74 is independent of the transponder 20 in the film unit 18,and is part of the packaging 73 rather than the film unit 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-15, the film unit 18 can have more than onetransponder 20. For example, two transponders 20 can be used to storethe same encodements for redundancy or as an aid in matching separatedcanisters 86 and respective filmstrips 68 during photofinishing.Multiple transponders 20 can also be used to provide more storagecapacity than would be possible with a single transponder 20. In thatcase, each of the plurality of transponders 20 would store differentencodements. The two transponders 20 can be commonly accessible on thesame radio frequencies, but are preferably independently accessible. Thecamera 10 can also have one or more transponders 20 in the body 12 thatare independent of the transponders 20 held by the film unit 18.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference tocertain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A camera comprising: a body; an image captureassembly mounted in said body; and a radio-frequency identificationinlay transponder mounted within said body, said inlay transponder beingunshielded from radio-frequency radiation by said body and continuouslyaccessible to radio-frequency communication.
 2. The image capture unitof claim 1 wherein said transponder is permanently affixed to said body.3. The image capture unit of claim 1 further comprising removablepackaging surrounding said camera external to said transponder.
 4. Thecamera of claim 1 wherein said transponder is adhered to said body. 5.The camera of claim 1 wherein said body includes a frame assembly andfront and rear covers closing said frame assembly, and said transponderis mounted to said frame assembly.
 6. The camera of claim 1 wherein saidbody includes a flash unit and said transponder is mounted to said flashunit.
 7. The camera of claim 1 wherein said body has a light-tight filmenclosure and said transponder is mounted within said film enclosure. 8.A camera comprising: a body; a film unit disposed in said body for imagecapture; and a radio-frequency identification transponder associatedwith said film unit, said transponder being operable independent of saidimage capture.
 9. The camera of claim 8 wherein said transponder ismounted to said film unit.
 10. The camera of claim 8 wherein said bodyincludes a film exposure system that is operative without removal ofsaid transponder.
 11. The camera of claim 8 wherein said transponder isan inlay transponder.
 12. The camera of claim 11 wherein said inlaytransponder is adhered to said film unit.
 13. The camera of claim 11wherein said film unit has a canister and a filmstrip attached to saidcanister and said inlay transponder is mounted to said canister.
 14. Thecamera of claim 11 wherein said film unit includes a filmstrip and saidinlay transponder is mounted to said filmstrip.
 15. The camera of claim8 further comprising removable packaging surrounding said body externalto said transponder.
 16. The camera of claim 15 wherein said packagingis waterproof and fully encloses said body.
 17. A one-time use cameracomprising: a body; a first radio-frequency identification transpondermounted to said body; a film unit disposed in said body; a secondradio-frequency identification transponder mounted to said film unit.18. The one-time use camera of claim 17 wherein at least one of saidtransponders is an inlay transponder.
 19. The one-time use camera ofclaim 17 wherein said radio-frequency identification transponders areinlay transponders.
 20. The one-time use camera of claim 17 wherein saidsecond transponder is permanently affixed to said film unit.
 21. Animaging system comprising: a camera including: a body; an image captureassembly mounted in said body; and a radio-frequency identificationinlay transponder mounted to said body, said transponder being operableindependent of said image capture assembly; an imaging unit; transferequipment sending said image information from said image captureassembly to said imaging unit; and a communication unit accessing saidtransponder by radio-frequency communication and sending said ancillaryinformation to said imaging unit.